VANDALS have been condemned after a young girl was cut by a razor blade attached to a ride in a children's playground.

The girl's horrified mum, Kymberley Black, sounded the alarm via social media after the incident in the Riverside Gardens, Ilkley.

The youngster needed a tetanus injection after cutting her thumb on the razor blade which was attached to the rocking toy ride.

The incident comes as police say they are already committed to tackling anti-social behaviour at Bradford Council run park.

Ms Black wrote on Facebook of her concerns about the park: "It is disgusting, just not safe anymore."

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Cowardly yob who hid blade must be found

The alarm had already been raised by residents about broken glass and smashed play equipment in the playpark in recent weeks.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, visited the Riverside Gardens last week to meet residents and discuss their concerns about late-night disturbance and vandalism in the playground.

"This disturbance and danger of glass and razor blades in the park is a real threat which must be resolved," he said.

"I appreciated that residents who lived near the park and had experienced the problems came to speak to me. There is a need to stop alcohol getting into the hands of young people, and easy ways for any anti-social behaviour in Ilkley to be reported so the police know when the problems are occurring - both through the West Yorkshire Police website or 101 number."

Keighley area neighbourhood Inspector, Alan Rhees-Cooper, pledged to increase police presence, but warned parents to stay vigilant.

He said on Facebook: "I do think we have to accept that no matter how much we increase the police and council warden presence, it is difficult to stop this kind of behaviour as this comes down to the individual's personal values. We cannot put 24/7 surveillance on the park, so we rely on individuals having a conscience.

"I will ask my officers to speak to the young people who frequent the park to see if we can identify the culprit. However, in the interim, we need parents to be vigilant and check the equipment every so often. However, this is an isolated incident. We have to do everything we can to ensure these individuals who have no common sense or values do not spoil the park for our children."

A Bradford Council spokesman said it was taking the incident seriously.

"We will carry out a full inspection of the play park, increase our patrols and continue to work closely with the police to reassure the community following this very rare but distressing incident."

Ilkley parish councillor and Bradford Council Labour candidate, Henri Murison visited the park with Mr Burns-Williamson last week.

He said: "I have already been contacted by a number of fellow parents who are like me disgusted at the perpetrators who deliberately placed razor blades where they could have caused serious injury.

"I am relieved the child involved is fine and well despite the ordeal. It is reassuring that West Yorkshire Police have stepped up their patrols in the area as a precaution and I would encourage all parents to be careful until those responsible are caught and punished."

Ward councillor, Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said she had herself seen "aggressive" youths in town last Friday night.

She said: "This appears to be the action of a sick mind. It is appalling when children are put in danger in this way. I am becoming increasingly concerned that the statement made by the new police inspector when reorganising said we wouldn't have reduction in policing in Ilkley is not the case."

Conservative candidate, Paul Barrett, said: "Very distressed to hear about this incident and I hope that the child is on the way to recovery. It demonstrates the real need for on the ground policing and my position should I be elected, would be to keep close to this requirement, working with both our own Ilkley police and the newly-to-be-elected Police and Crime Commissioner."